Toyota needs “maybe a little help” from M-Sport Ford on the final day of the Rally Japan in the fight for the WRC manufacturers’ title.
The battle for the World Rally Championship (WRC) manufacturers’ title will not be decided until the last day of the 2024 season. But ahead of the final day of Rally Japan, the advantage is with Hyundai, while Toyota’s rivals will need a minor miracle.
“We have closed four points on Hyundai, but to catch up eleven points on Sunday is quite a challenge now,” said Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala in an interview with Autosport,
Hyundai, which went into the season finale with a 15-point lead over Toyota, had given the Japanese team a great opportunity on Friday. Andreas Mikkelsen retired after an accident, Thierry Neuville was only in 15th place after persistent technical problems and thus outside the points.
But the Belgian put in a furious chase on Saturday to move up to seventh place, while Elfyn Evans was unable to put pressure on leader Ott Tänak.
“This is not necessarily what we wanted [today],” said Latvala disappointedly. “We thought that Elfyn’s performance in the morning would allow him to challenge Ott more, and if he could have taken the lead today, it would have been a very interesting position for Sunday.”
But Tänak even extended his lead. Evans and Sebastien Ogier, who finished second and third on Saturday, were only able to catch up four points on Hyundai.
This means that it will be a Herculean task for Toyota to win their fourth consecutive manufacturers’ title on the final day in Japan. “It’s not impossible, but it will take maximum performance from everyone and maybe a little help from Ford,” said Latvala, hoping for possible support from M-Sport.
Or on a team order from Hyundai to end the fight for the drivers’ title between Tänak and Neuville. “Our only chance is for Ott and Thierry to hold their positions, the victory and the drivers’ title,” says Latvala. “Everything depends on the condition of Hyundai tomorrow. For us, the task is clear.”
